Introduction
Pearls have always been admired as a timeless gem, associated with elegance, sophistication, and refinement. Traditionally seen as part of women’s jewelry boxes, pearls are now enjoying a powerful resurgence as men embrace them as modern accessories.
From pearl necklaces and earrings to discreet studs, pendants, and bold bracelets, pearls have become important and noteworthy jeweled accessories for men, spotted on both high wattage red carpets and in everyday high street fashion.
This shift reflects a larger fashion revolution—men moving beyond chains, gold and silver rings, signet rings, tie pins, and cufflinks, and adopting pearls as a versatile, eye-catching, and stylish choice. The trend is also deeply symbolic of changing gender norms and inclusivity in contemporary fashion. Literary and cultural references such as Saul Adler in Deborah Levy’s Booker-longlisted novel The Man Who Saw Everything capture this spirit.
In the novel, Adler wears his mother’s pearl necklace with a white Navy surplus suit, Levi’s jeans, an orange silk tie, and a green faux-snakeskin hat, observing that pearls belong to no gender and can symbolize peace rather than war.
Celebrities like Harry Styles, A$AP Rocky, Timothée Chalamet, Usher, Pharrell Williams, Pierce Brosnan, Sam Smith, Maro Itoje, Marc Jacobs, Steven Tyler, and Nicholas Galitzine have each brought pearls into the spotlight, turning them into icons of individuality, masculinity, and contemporary style.
History of Men Wearing Pearls
Pearls were once the ultimate status symbol in antiquity, prized by kings, Maharajahs, royal courtiers, and nobles as signs of wealth, power, and position in society.
- Chinese Royalty (2300 BC): Early records show emperors and their courts adorned with pearls.
- Indian Maharajahs: Maharajahs wore pearls on turbans, hats, brooches, and belts, such as Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala (Delhi, c. 1911), whose extravagant collection still exists in the Cartier Archives, Paris.
- Polynesian Warriors: Ferocious warriors wore pearls as protective amulets and symbols of authority.
- European Royalty: King Charles I wore a baroque pearl drop earring in 1649 at his execution; 16th-century English kings and 18th-century nobles also prized pearls.
- Roman Empire and Cleopatra: Cleopatra famously dissolved a pearl in wine to prove her wealth, while Roman generals wore pearls to symbolize military success.
- Religious Europe: Pearls adorned relics and crowns in medieval times as signs of purity.
- 1920s Bright Young Things: Socialites like Stephen Tennant wore pearls to highlight androgyny and individuality.
By the 20th century, pearls resurfaced as fashionable accessories. Pharrell Williams wore pearl strings at Chanel in 2016. From 2019 onward, Harry Styles (Met Gala single pearl earring), A$AP Rocky, Shawn Mendes, Billy Porter, Jaden Smith, Ezra Miller, Young Paris, Machine Gun Kelly, and the Jonas Brothers transformed pearls into mainstream menswear.
Modern Acceptance and Trend
What was once considered exclusive or stuffy has become a pearl revolution in menswear. Designers like Dior, Gucci, Comme des Garçons, and Kim Jones (Dior) have all showcased pearls in men’s collections.
Mikimoto collaborated with Comme des Garçons on pearl campaigns; AMIRI styled pearls with rollnecks in the spirit of 1970s jetsetters; Casablanca paired pearls with scarves and sunglasses for a playboy glamour aesthetic.
Runways and co-ed shows at SAINT LAURENT, 1017 ALYX 9SM, and other high fashion houses highlight pearls with satins, crystal-encrusted coats, and jewellery-heavy eclecticism. The pearl has moved from stuffiness into edgy, modern, and fashionable designs, reflecting inclusivity, individuality, and fluid gender identities.
Why Pearls Appeal to Men?
Pearls are attractive to men for several reasons:
- Versatility: They can elevate a simple t-shirt and jeans or add chic elegance to an evening suit.
- Colors: White pearls carry sophistication; black pearls feel edgy and unique; gold pearls radiate luxury; pastel freshwater pearls add playful, attractive, and serene tones.
- Sizes: Large baroque pearls make bold declarations of style, while smaller, discreet pearls or single studs feel elegant. Circlé pearls, with their ridged surface, are popular as earthy, striking choices.
- Materials & Textures: Pairing pearls with silver, gold, chains, leather ropes, or layered textures creates stylish and eye-catching looks. A Tahitian pearl on leather contrasts earthy and lustrous finishes, while layered pearls with chains give modern edge.
- Subtlety: Softer than cut gemstones, pearls provide understated sophistication, unisex appeal, and personal meaning beyond wealth.
Styling Tips for Men
Pearls can adapt to any mood, outfit, or occasion:
- Start Small: A discreet Akoya bracelet, a single round ear stud, or a simple pendant.
- Occasion-Based:
- Everyday: small pendants, seed pearls, or pearls on leather rope.
- Special Events: bold South Sea deep gold or Tahitian dark grey pearls.
- Pairing: Limit to one or two pieces for maximum effect (necklace + stud, pendant + bracelet).
- Style Variations:
- Minimalist: single pearl cufflink or stud.
- Luxuriant: layered pearl strands with gold or silver chains.
- Statement-making: bold baroque pearls with eclectic outfits.
- Confidence: Pearls are most stylish when carried with self-assuredness.
Celebrity and Media Influence
Pearls are now central to celebrity styling. Harry Styles’ pearl necklace became iconic at the Met Gala. A$AP Rocky, Timothée Chalamet, Marc Jacobs (@themarcjacobs), Steven Tyler, Nicholas Galitzine, and others have elevated pearls into cultural icons.
Costume dramas reinforce this trend. The Crown used pearls subtly, The Favourite styled them baroquely, while The Great showed Nicholas Hoult as Emperor Peter III wearing pearl strands with satin gowns and leopard coats. Media moments merge history, celebrity, and fashion-forward culture, making pearls appear timeless yet strikingly modern.
Symbolism and Philosophy
For men, pearls carry layered meanings:
- Sophistication & Refinement: Pearls are timeless hallmarks of elegance.
- Confidence & Identity: Wearing pearls shows individuality, androgyny, and self-expression.
- Wisdom & Knowledge: Their formation from irritation into beauty symbolizes experience and resilience.
- Purity & Innocence: Historically tied to bridal jewelry and life journeys.
- Love & Loyalty: Pearls represent devotion, anniversaries, and deep relationships.
- Feminine & Moon Energy: Pearls link to nurturing, sensitivity, and intuition.
- Inclusivity & Fluidity: Pearls transcend gender norms, aligning with modern gender-neutral aesthetics.
They are more than jewels—they are philosophy, symbolism, and personal aura.
Pearl Types and Craftsmanship
- Natural Pearls: Rare, formed organically in mollusks as nacre layers of calcium carbonate and protein.
- Cultured Pearls: Akoya, Freshwater, Tahitian, South Sea, and Keshi dominate the market.
- Artificial Pearls: Faux or imitation pearls made from glass, plastic, or shell coated with pearlescent finishes.
- Craftsmanship: Harvested, sorted by shape, size, surface, and luster, then drilled, strung on silk thread, and set with clasps or wire.
- Cost Factors: Rarity, size, roundness, color (pink, black, gold), origin (e.g., Persian Gulf, Japan), and surface shine determine price.
Why Men Wear Pearls Today?
Pearls elevate outfits in different ways:
- Timeless Elegance: Casual, chic, or formal—pearls suit every mood and outfit.
- Breaking Gender Norms: They symbolize inclusivity, individuality, and freedom from conventions.
- Versatility: From street fashion to haute couture, pearls fit everyday and special event attire.
- Tradition & Heritage: Pearls connect wearers to generations, eras, and familial roots.
- Personal Statement: Pearls celebrate identity, refinement, and modern masculinity.
Pearl Care and Maintenance
Pearls are lustrous yet delicate. To keep them timeless:
- Avoid makeup, perfumes, cosmetics, lotions, oils, or harsh agents.
- Store separately in soft pouches or lined jewelry boxes.
- Clean gently with a soft damp cloth after each wear.
- Restring every few years with silk thread to prevent breakage.
- Wear regularly—the skin’s natural oils enhance their nacreous shine.
- Avoid prolonged heat or sunlight exposure.
- Consult a professional jeweler for deeper cleaning or repairs.
Future of Pearls in Men’s Fashion
Pearls are not a passing phenomenon. Their timeless aesthetic, versatility, and inclusivity make them enduring. They bend and stretch with time, able to complement modern outfits as easily as they once adorned Maharajahs or European kings.
From casual Levi’s and t-shirts to chic evening suits and high fashion catwalks, pearls will continue to captivate. Their distinctiveness, symbolism, and modern designs ensure they remain at the heart of men’s accessories for future generations.
Conclusion
From Chinese royalty and Indian Maharajahs to Harry Styles and A$AP Rocky, pearls have traveled across civilizations, eras, and styles. They have transformed from rare jewels of antiquity into modern accessories that symbolize elegance, refinement, inclusivity, and individuality.
Today, pearls are not just gems but reflections of personality, wisdom, and love. With premium collections available from reputable online sources like Beads of Cambay, offering Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, and Keshi varieties, pearls remain accessible and versatile for men seeking elegance, creativity, or statement-making style.
Men’s pearl jewelry is here to stay—timeless, eye-catching, and forever chic.
